Cognitive Impairment In Psychiatry Research Articles

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy versus supportive therapy in affective relapse prevention in bipolar patients with a history of trauma: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundUp to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a history of traumatic events, which is associated with greater episode severity, higher risk of comorbidity and higher relapse rates. Trauma-focused treatment strategies for BD are thus necessary but studies are currently scarce. The aim of this study is to examine whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focusing on adherence, insight, de-idealisation of manic symptoms, prodromal symptoms and mood stabilization can reduce episode severity and relapse rates and increase cognitive performance and functioning in patients with BD.Methods/designThis is a single-blind, randomized controlled, multicentre trial in which 82 patients with BD and a history of traumatic events will be recruited and randomly allocated to one of two treatment arms: EMDR therapy or supportive therapy. Patients in both groups will receive 20 psychotherapeutic sessions, 60 min each, during 6 months. The primary outcome is a reduction of affective episodes after 12 and 24 months in favour of the EMDR group. As secondary outcome we postulate a greater reduction in affective symptoms in the EMDR group (as measured by the Bipolar Depression Rating Scale, the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression Scale modified for BD), and a better performance in cognitive state, social cognition and functioning (as measured by the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry, The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test and the Functioning Assessment Short Test, respectively). Traumatic events will be evaluated by The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale and the Impact of Event Scale.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide evidence whether a specific EMDR protocol for patients with BD is effective in reducing affective episodes, affective symptoms and functional, cognitive and trauma symptoms.Trial registrationThe trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02634372. Registered on 3 December 2015.

Preliminay study for the Italian validation of the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP)

IntroductionThe screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) is a brief, accessible scale designed for detecting cognitive deficits in psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to test the SCIP's validity as a cognitive test by comparison with standard neuropsychological scale using the Pearson's correlation.Aims Test the convergent and discriminant validity of the SCIP within the Italian SCIP validation project.MethodsPatients between 18 and 65 years who are in a stable phase of the disease, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar I disorder were enrolled in this study, from the community mental health department of Ferrara.ResultsThe tests were administered to 110 patients (mean age: 45 ± 11,4) and to 86 controls (mean age: 35 ± 12,6) of both sex. SCIP presents high correlation with the R-BANS total score (P < 0.01) and the subscales (verbal learning test-immediate, working memory, verbal fluency test, verbal learning test-delayed, processing speed test, P < 0.01). There are significant differences (P < 0.01) in all SCIP dimensions between patient and control group (Table 1).ConclusionsOur analysis confirm the results of the English, French and Spanish version of the SCIP regarding convergent and discriminant validity. The SCIP represents a valid, simple and brief screening tool for the cognitive evaluation of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Are deficits in social cognition differentiating between schizophrenia and affective disorders

Over the last decades, in matters of the assessment of psychopathology and its clinical consequences, there has been an increased interest in neurocognitive function including non-social and social cognition.Classic psychopathology -as represented e.g. by the standardized AMDP system- focuses on pathognomonic signs for the categorization of syndromes [1] and differentiates between disturbances of perception, concentration, memory retention and long-term memory. A recent short screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) has addressed five domains of cognitive function: verbal learning–immediate, working memory, verbal fluency, verbal learning–delayed and processing speed [2].Using the SCIP in admissions from a defined catchment area in the southwest of Vienna we confirm the presence of cognitive deficits in schizophrenic patients and to a lesser degree in bipolar patients. The deficits were present in all five domains and no discriminatory pathognomonic signs could be found between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.Recently, possibly selective deficits in social cognition have been described in schizophrenic patients [3]. We review the evidence on the specificity of social impairment to schizophrenia.Disclosure of interestThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Using the cognitive assessment interview to screen cognitive impairment in psychosis.

Cognitive impairment in psychosis is closely related to functional outcome, so research into psychotic disorders is focusing most effort on treatments for improving cognition. New treatments must show not only an improvement on neuropsychological tests but also in co-primary measures of cognition. The cognitive assessment interview (CAI) is an interview-based measure of cognition which assesses the impact of cognitive deficits in patients' daily lives. Information obtained from patients and their relatives is integrated into a rater composite score. This study examines the validity of the CAI (adapted to Spanish, CAI-Sp) as a screening instrument for cognitive impairment, compared to an objective test of cognitive functioning. The psychometric properties of the CAI-Sp and its association with clinical dimensions are also explored. Eighty-one patients with a psychotic disorder and 38 healthy controls were assessed using the CAI-Sp and the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP-S). Patients also underwent a clinical assessment. Poorer cognitive functioning as assessed with the CAI-Sp was associated to illness severity, specifically positive, negative and disorganised syndromes. Binary logistic regression showed that the CAI-Sp was able to detect cognitive impairment in patients, when considering CAI-Sp patient and informant information and CAI-Sp rater scores. The CAI-Sp was found to be a valid and reliable scale to assess cognitive functioning in the context of its impact on daily living. Given its ease and speed of application, the CAI-Sp could prove useful in clinical practice, though not a substitute of objective cognitive testing.

French Validation of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-F)

Background: Measuring cognition in clinical practice is clearly essential to the appropriate characterisation of patients’ clinical status and to the development of a personalised care plan. The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) has been developed in order to provide a brief and accessible tool allowing the evaluation of cognitive function in psychiatric conditions. Objective: We present a validation of a French version of the SCIP. Method: Translation from English into French is carried out using the accepted back-translation method. Seventy-two healthy volunteers are characterised by demographic questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery. The French version of the SCIP is then administered on two separate occasions separated by at least a one-week interval. Results: High internal consistencies as well as strong correlations with comparable neuropsychological tests are obtained. A normalised Cronbach’s α = 0.66 is obtained. Conclusions: The French version of the SCIP (SCIP-F) yields results comparable to the English version. The SCIP represents an essential tool for the preliminary evaluation of cognition. Its characteristics, brevity and the lack of need for a technological platform, allow for its integration into clinical practice. Further testing of SCIP-F in various psychiatric conditions will yield valuable information on its potential in clinical settings.

Screening for cognitive dysfunction in unipolar depression: Validation and evaluation of objective and subjective tools

BackgroundPersistent cognitive dysfunction in unipolar depression (UD) contributes to socio-occupational impairment, but there are no feasible methods to screen for and monitor cognitive dysfunction in this patient group. The present study investigated the validity of two new instruments to screen for cognitive dysfunction in UD, and their associations with socio-occupational capacity. MethodParticipants (n=53) with UD in partial or full remission and healthy control persons (n=103) were assessed with two new screening instruments, the Danish translations of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-D) and Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Assessment (COBRA) and with established neuropsychological and self-assessment measures. Depression symptoms and socio-occupational function were rated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Functional Assessment Short Test respectively. ResultsThe SCIP-D and COBRA were valid for detection of objective and subjective cognitive impairment, respectively. The three parallel SCIP-D forms were equivalent. A combined SCIP-D-COBRA measure showed high sensitivity and good specificity for objective cognitive impairment (91% and 70%, respectively). There was no correlation between subjective and objective measures of cognition. Subjective cognitive difficulties correlated more with socio-occupational impairment (r=0.7, p<0.01) than did objective cognitive difficulties, for which there was a weak correlation with the executive skills domain only (r =−0.3, p=0.05). LimitationsA modest sample size. ConclusionsThe SCIP-D and COBRA are valid measures of objective and subjective cognitive impairment, respectively, and should ideally be implemented together in the screening for cognitive dysfunction in UD.

Optimising screening for cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder: Validation and evaluation of objective and subjective tools

IntroductionCognitive impairment is common in bipolar disorder and contributes to socio-occupational difficulties. The objective was to validate and evaluate instruments to screen for and monitor cognitive impairments, and improve the understanding of the association between cognitive measures and socio-occupational capacity. MethodsPatients with bipolar disorder in partial or full remission (n=84) and healthy controls (n=68) were assessed with the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP), Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Scale (COBRA), and established neuropsychological tests and subjective rating scales. Socio-occupational function and affective symptoms were evaluated with the Functional Assessment Short Test, and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-items and Young Mania Rating Scale, respectively. Concurrent validity of the SCIP and COBRA were assessed by correlation with established objective and subjective cognitive measures, and decision validity was determined with Receiver–Operating–Characteristic analyses. Correlations and linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between objective and subjective cognitive impairment, and socio-occupational difficulties. ResultsThe SCIP and COBRA correlated strongly with established objective and subjective cognitive measures, respectively. The SCIP yielded higher sensitivity and specificity for detection of cognitive dysfunction than the COBRA or a combined SCIP–COBRA measure. Correlations between objective and subjective cognitive impairment were weak but both were associated with socio-occupational difficulties. LimitationsInfluence of ageing was not investigated. ConclusionsThe SCIP and COBRA are valid for detection of objective and subjective cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder. Screening for cognitive dysfunction should be conducted with an objective measure like the SCIP.

Comparing neurocognitive impairment in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder using the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry Scale

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) when applied to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n=126) or bipolar I disorder (n=76), and also to compare the cognitive impairment in both samples of patients and a control group (n=83) using the SCIP and a complete neuropsychological battery. The SCIP is a scale intended to quickly and easily assess cognitive impairment in patients with severe psychiatric disorders. The results showed firstly that, in terms of internal consistency, temporal stability, dimensional structure, and criterion-referenced validity, the SCIP provides reliable and valid scores at an equivalent level in both schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder samples. Secondly, it showed that differential cognitive impairment between the two patient groups occurs only in verbal memory, although the effect size of the difference is small. Finally, compared with the control group, cognitive impairment was present at all levels in both groups of patients using both the SCIP and the neuropsychological battery, which indicates that the SCIP is a good screening tool for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia and bipolar and useful in clinical practice for healthcare professionals.

EPA-0804 – Social and general cognition in patients with paranoid versus non-paranoid schizophrenia

Introduction Some social cognitive subdomains such as emotion processing or theory of mind are impaired in schizophrenia. The relationship between social and general cognition and the development of specific symptomatology is still unresolved. Some authors have hypothesized that an overmentalizing pattern could underlie the development of paranoid symptoms. Objectives 1. To compare social cognition between patients with paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenia; 2. To analyze the influence of general cognition in this result. Aim To identify a social cognitive error pattern associated with paranoid schizophrenia. Method 43 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (24 with paranoid subtype and 19 with other subtypes) were recruited. Mean age of the sample was 43.2 y.o. SD 9.2, 72% were male and mean length of illness was 23 (SD 10.8). Spanish version of the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) and the Screening of Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) were administered. Results While the number of overmentalizing errors was similar between both groups, paranoid patients showed significantly fewer undermentalizing (p Conclusions Patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia show better general and social cognitive performance than non-paranoid schizophrenia. A tend to produce more overmentalizing errors was not observed in paranoid patients.

The screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry: diagnostic-specific standardization in psychiatric ill patients

BackgroundThe Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a simple and easy to administer scale developed for screening cognitive deficits. This study presents the diagnostic-specific standardization data for this scale in a sample of schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder patients.MethodsPatients between 18 and 55 years who are in a stable phase of the disease, diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or bipolar I disorder were enrolled in this study.ResultsThe SCIP-S was administered to 514 patients (57.9% male), divided into two age groups (18–39 and 40–55 years) and two educational level groups (less than and secondary or higher education). The performance of the patients on the SCIP-S is described and the transformed scores for each SCIP-S subtest, as well as the total score on the instrument, are presented as a percentile, z-score, T-scores, and IQ quotient.ConclusionsWe present the first jointly developed benchmarks for a cognitive screening test exploring functional psychosis (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), which provide increased information about patient’s cognitive abilities. Having guidelines for interpreting SCIP-S scores represents a step forward in the clinical utility of this instrument and adds valuable information for its use.

Methylphenidate in mania project (MEMAP): study protocol of an international randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study on the initial treatment of acute mania with methylphenidate

BackgroundTreatment of patients with acute mania remains a considerable medical challenge since onset of action of antimanic medication is delayed for several days. Psychostimulants could have an earlier onset of action. This assumption is based on the ‘vigilance regulation model of mania’ which postulates that vigilance is unstable in manic patients. Accordingly, vigilance-stabilising psychostimulants could be more useful than conventional treatment in acute mania. We present here the study protocol of a trial intended to study the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate in the initial treatment of acute mania.Methods/designA multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will be conducted in 88 bipolar inpatients with acute mania. Male and female patients older than 18 years will be randomised to treatment with either methylphenidate (20 to 40 mg/day) or placebo for 2.5 days, given once or twice daily. The main outcome measure is the reduction in the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) after 2.5 days of treatment. Other outcome measures include the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Excited Component (PANSS-EC) the Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Scale (CGI-BP), the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP), actigraphy and the EEG-‘Vigilance Algorithm Leipzig’ (VIGALL).DiscussionA positive study outcome of the proposed study could substantially impact our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of mania and open new treatment perspectives.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 01541605

2120 – Feasibility of the use of the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP) in a clinical population with adult attention deficit disorder

Cognitive impairment is central to many psychiatric conditions and is a determinant factor of functioning. The evaluation of cognition is time-consuming and recourse to it limited by cost, accessibility of expertise, and, in the case of computerized batteries, equipment. The SCIP is a 15 minute paper and pencil evaluation of cognitive function which can be integrated into clinical practice. It is thus a tool which can assist in determining which patients require a more extensive evaluation and can inform the elaboration of a personalized treatment plan. Our group (Groupe Comorbidite psychiatrique et Dimensions) has validated a french translation of the SCIP and is testing the acceptability of its integration into clinical practice in selected clinical populations. We will present preliminary data regarding the use of the SCIP in adult attention deficit disorder. Forty adult patients with attention deficit disorder were invited to participate in the study. In order to maintain a sample representative of clinical practice the only exclusion criteria were inability to speak french and inability to give informed consent. Demographic characteristics were collected, and a multiaxial DSM-IV diagnosis determined by the treating physician, SCIP was administered. The time to administer the SCIP was recorded, and a qualitative questionnaire of patient impressions was completed. We will present preliminary results of this study.

Is there an association between subjective and objective measures of cognitive function in patients with affective disorders?

Background: Patients with affective disorders experience cognitive dysfunction in addition to their affective symptoms. The relationship between subjectively experienced and objectively measured cognitive function is controversial with several studies reporting no correlation between subjective and objective deficits. Aims: To investigate whether there is a correlation between subjectively reported and objectively measured cognitive function in patients with affective disorders, and whether subjective complaints predict objectively measured dysfunction. Methods: The study included 45 participants; 15 with bipolar disorder (BD), 15 with unipolar disorder (UD) and 15 healthy individuals. Participants’ subjectively experienced cognitive function and objective cognitive function were assessed with the Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire (CPFQ) and the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP), respectively. Patients were rated for affective symptoms with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Results: Patients demonstrated subjective and objective cognitive dysfunction relative to controls (P-values ≤ 0.01) but there were no differences between patient groups (P > 0.1). We found no correlation between subjectively experienced and objectively measured cognitive dysfunction in BD (P = 0.7), and a non-significant trend towards a correlation in UD (P = 0.06), which disappeared when controlling for gender (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Our results suggest that it is not necessarily patients who have cognitive complaints that are most impaired. If confirmed in a larger sample, our findings suggest that neuropsychological assessment is warranted to elucidate the potential role of cognitive dysfunction in patients’ everyday lives and to inform treatment strategies targeting these difficulties.

Insight, symptomatic dimensions, and cognition in patients with acute-phase psychosis

AimsThis study was designed to evaluate the relationship between insight and the severity of psychotic symptomatology in a sample of patients in an acute phase of psychosis, as well as to analyze the relationship between insight and the symptomatic profile of the patient. In addition, the role of general cognitive abilities in this relationship was explored. MethodCross-sectional observational study of 96 acute psychotic adults. To evaluate psychopathology we used the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale; for insight, the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder; and for general cognitive abilities, the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry. ResultsInsight showed significant and moderate positive correlations with positive and general symptoms but not with negative symptoms. In the subgroup with positive symptomatic profile, awareness of the disorder and of the effects of medication were positively associated with severity of positive and general psychotic symptoms. Awareness of social consequences of the disease was positively associated with positive symptoms. In the subgroup with a negative symptomatic profile, awareness of the disorder and of the effects of medication were positively associated with severity of positive and general psychotic symptoms. In this subgroup, these relationships were significantly affected by general cognitive abilities. ConclusionsInsight was not related with the severity of negative psychotic symptoms. The symptomatic profile of subjects played an important role in determining the relationship between insight and its dimensions and the severity of psychotic symptoms. Cognitive function moderated these relationships only in the negative symptomatic profile.

Brief cognitive assessment instruments in schizophrenia and bipolar patients, and healthy control subjects: A comparison study between the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS) and the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP)

Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and psychosis is ubiquitous and acknowledged as a core feature of clinical expression, pathophysiology, and prediction of functioning. However, assessment of cognitive functioning is excessively time-consuming in routine practice, and brief cognitive instruments specific to psychosis would be of value. Two screening tools have recently been created to address this issue, i.e., the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS) and the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP). The aim of this research was to examine the comparative validity of these two brief instruments in relation to a global cognitive score. 161 patients with psychosis (96 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 65 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder) and 76 healthy control subjects were tested with both instruments to examine their concurrent validity relative to a more comprehensive neuropsychological assessment battery. Scores from the B-CATS and the SCIP were highly correlated in the three diagnostic groups, and both scales showed good to excellent concurrent validity relative to a Global Cognitive Composite Score (GCCS) derived from the more comprehensive examination. The SCIP-S showed better predictive value of global cognitive impairment than the B-CATS. Partial and semi-partial correlations showed slightly higher percentages of both shared and unique variance between the SCIP-S and the GCCS than between the B-CATS and the GCCS. Brief instruments for assessing cognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, such as the SCIP-S and B-CATS, seem to be reliable and promising tools for use in routine clinical practice.

Neurocognitive diagnosis and cut-off scores of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-S)

Objectives To demonstrate the ability of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-S) to discriminate between cognitively-impaired individuals and those with adequate functioning in a sample of schizophrenic and bipolar patients, as well as in a control group. Methods The SCIP-S, together with a full neuropsychological battery, was administered to three groups: patients with schizophrenia, patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder I, and controls. The battery scores were used to perform a standardization with respect to the control group and this served to determine the comparison groups (cognitively impaired versus unimpaired) for each of the subtests of the SCIP-S. A full analysis of decision validity was conducted on the basis of receiver operating characteristic curves (sensitivity and specificity, + LR and − LR, PPV and NPV). Results All the subtests yielded adequate values for sensitivity and specificity with the proposed cut-off points, while the total score of the SCIP (< 70) was associated with a sensitivity of 87.9 and specificity of 80.6. Conclusions The SCIP-S shows adequate decision validity as a screening tool for cognitive deficit in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Clinical usefulness of the screen for cognitive impairment in psychiatry (SCIP-S) scale in patients with type I bipolar disorder

BackgroundThe relevance of persistent cognitive deficits to the pathogenesis and prognosis of bipolar disorders (BD) is understudied, and its translation into clinical practice has been limited by the absence of brief methods assessing cognitive status in Psychiatry. This investigation assessed the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-S) for the detection of cognitive impairment in BD.MethodsAfter short training, psychiatrists at 40 outpatient clinics administered the SCIP three times over two weeks to a total of 76 consecutive type I BD admissions. Experienced psychologists also administered a comprehensive battery of standard neuropsychological instruments to clinical sample and 45 healthy control subjects.ResultsFeasibility was supported by a brief administration time (approximately 15 minutes) and minimal scoring errors. The reliability of the SCIP was confirmed by good equivalence of forms, acceptable stability (ICC range 0.59 to 0.87) and adequate internal consistency (Chronbach's alpha of 0.74). Construct validity was granted by extraction of a single factor (accounting 52% of the variance), acceptable correlations with conventional neuropsychological instruments, and a clear differentiation between bipolar I and normal samples. Efficiency was also provided by the adequate sensitivity and specificity.LimitationsThe sample size is not very large. The SCIP and the neurocognitive battery do not cover all potentially relevant cognitive domains. Also, sensitivity to change remains unexplored.ConclusionWith minimal training, physicians obtained a reliable and valid estimate of cognitive impairment in approximately 15 minutes from an application of the SCIP to type I BD patients.

THE INFUENCE OF RTMS ON NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS AND COGNITIVE DEFICITS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a brief scale designed for detecting cognitive deficits in several psychotic and affective disorders. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SCIP in a sample of outpatients suffering schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 126 stable patients with schizophrenia. Men and women 18 to 55 years of age were recruited from consecutive admissions to 40 psychiatric outpatient clinics in Spain and asked to complete a series of cognitive measures at baseline, as well as three versions of the SCIP separated by one week intervals. A matched sample of 39 healthy controls was also subjected to the baseline examination. The feasibility, reliability and validity of the SCIP was examined; concurrent validity was assessed by means of a complete neuropsychological battery.Average time for SCIP administration was 16.02 (SD = 5.01) minutes. Test–retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.74 to 0.90, with an internal consistency Cronbach's alpha value of 0.73. The three parallel forms of SCIP were shown to be equivalent. The SCIP scales were correlated with corresponding neuropsychological instruments, with Pearson's r between 0.38 and 0.60, p < 0.01. The SCIP effectively discriminated between the patient and control samples. Factor analysis revealed one significant dimension, cognitive performance, that accounted for 49.8% of the total variance.The Spanish version of the SCIP is a simple, brief, valid and reliable tool for detection of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia by minimally trained healthcare personnel.

Spanish version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP-S): Psychometric properties of a brief scale for cognitive evaluation in schizophrenia

Objective The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP) is a brief scale designed for detecting cognitive deficits in several psychotic and affective disorders. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SCIP in a sample of outpatients suffering schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Methods Psychometric properties were evaluated in a sample of 126 stable patients with schizophrenia. Men and women 18 to 55 years of age were recruited from consecutive admissions to 40 psychiatric outpatient clinics in Spain and asked to complete a series of cognitive measures at baseline, as well as three versions of the SCIP separated by one week intervals. A matched sample of 39 healthy controls was also subjected to the baseline examination. The feasibility, reliability and validity of the SCIP was examined; concurrent validity was assessed by means of a complete neuropsychological battery. Results Average time for SCIP administration was 16.02 (SD = 5.01) minutes. Test–retest reliability intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.74 to 0.90, with an internal consistency Cronbach's alpha value of 0.73. The three parallel forms of SCIP were shown to be equivalent. The SCIP scales were correlated with corresponding neuropsychological instruments, with Pearson's r between 0.38 and 0.60, p < 0.01. The SCIP effectively discriminated between the patient and control samples. Factor analysis revealed one significant dimension, cognitive performance, that accounted for 49.8% of the total variance. Conclusions The Spanish version of the SCIP is a simple, brief, valid and reliable tool for detection of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia by minimally trained healthcare personnel.

The Japanese version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry: a preliminary study

The Japanese version of the Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry: a preliminary study